Tornado Alley Needs Some Heroes...

Since I wasn't able to find a clearinghouse of relief organizations for the recent devastation in the south, I thought I would just do a little research and publish what I found so that people have a place to go where they can then choose among the many different opportunities to help. The following organizations are either well-known first responders capable of meeting immediate needs, relief organizations used to handling the clean-up, housing and other needs in the aftermath of a disaster, or local churches and other organizations whose long-term ties to the community put them in the best position to meet the particular needs to which they are suited. Please consider the possible ways in which you might personally get involved in helping out others who have been hit so hard in recent weeks, whether that help is extended by the donation of money, goods, or even yourself/your family to help out in the clean-up efforts. The need is great.

WORLD VISION: http://www.worldvision.org/#/home/main/tornadoes-american-south-1-1389

SAMARITAN'S PURSE: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/responding_to_deadly_tornadoes/

RED CROSS: https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?4882.donation=form1&idb=1495181504&df_id=4882&gclid=CPHJ4MXVyagCFch-5QodClVQpg

A TENNESSEE Red Cross chapter is seeking volunteer workers: http://www.wbir.com/news/article/168258/2/Red-Cross-looking-for-volunteers-to-help-TN-tornado--flood-victims

Here's an ALABAMA news piece which lists some other organizations and needs for both goods and volunteers locally. http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/04/alabama_tornadoes_how_you_can.html

Ditto for MISSISSIPPI: http://www.wtva.com/content/alertbarblank/story/How-you-can-help-the-tornado-victims/AKYnBc1bnEe1W4x6Ce8dXw.cspx

When I see the pictures of the devastation I must admit I have a hard time relating. To walk outside your house and not be able to see the familiar landmarks that have stood like sentinals to mark out the boundaries of your home, your neighborhood, your entire town, seems far more believable as a Twilight Zone episode than the reality of life as experienced by thousands in the southern states. And that's without considering the deeper devastation of the lives lost. Today's ability to view disasters in real-time technicolor detail can even overwhelm our very willingness to help, if only because the depth of need appears so great compared to our abilities to provide whatever help we can. But that simply isn't true. Every donation makes a difference.

I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but I can do something.
And I will not let what I cannot do
interfere with what I can do.

~Edward Everett Hale

THANKS for considering helping!